There is little question that Fargo and Cass county have earned the moniker “Imperial”. It is the very essence of “imperialism” that chafes the states remaining population outside of Fargo, ND – in part, due to the arrogance of misguided vocal leaders and the lack of any discernible civic policy that places Fargo and Cass county in tension with each other to protect the financial interests of the state and local taxpayers.

The sheer geographic location of EVERY Cass county commissioner living within 7.25 miles (view map) of Fargo city hall ensures that Fargo essentially has two sets of commissioners doing Fargo’s bidding…, being led by a yellow safety vest wearing narcissist fixated on bending half-truths the breaking point.

“The best way to lie is to tell the truth, …carefully edited truth.” – Unknown

Without hesitation, push-back in any form is met by Mahoney’s quintessential debasing criticism that “they” don’t “understand” and “must be educated” by the “all knowing” Imperial Fargo – Imperial Cass leaders. Which is more or less a matter of legal interpretations and manipulations than any factual foundation for position.

Recently, Mahoney had the temerity to claim that North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s demand to release information regarding an illegal vote in executive session over the Kinzler buyout as the state attorney general having “misunderstood the situation”.

“Our (city) attorney thinks he’s right,” Mahoney said. “They (attorney general) think we’re wrong. I think what we’re going to do is have the attorney general’s team come over and visit with us. We’ll have a full discussion.”

Is there any question why the term “Imperial” precedes all things Fargo?

Mahoney and “crew” presume that a “visit” will help the attorney general become educated on how things are supposed to be in Fargo. After-all, it gives Imperial Fargo an opportunity to parse information in such a way to let the AG reach Fargo’s conclusions.

But let’s set aside the Imperial moniker for a moment at look at Mayor Tim Mahoney’s blatantly disingenuous claim regarding commissioner Tony Gehrig questioning tax incentives for homes in the flood plain.

FACT: Flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. – Cite Source, FEMA – 139k

“I, I don’t when he showed up, what I’m saying is, I’m thi.. assuming he didn’t hear the hold discussion when he came on your show.”

*splice*

Tim Mahoney:

“He’s not on the committee…, so I wouldn’t have noticed him when he came in. So…, the tax exempt committee – anybody can come in and observe it…, and Tony was sitting in the back so I didn’t observe when he came in…, but I presume he more than likely he might have been late.”

Wait…, what…?

C’mon Mahoney, which is it? You either saw Tony Gehrig or you didn’t…, it’s that simple.

The gall of Mahoney using WDAY News to make allegations and assail Tony Gehrig’s character, disingenuously claiming Gehrig was late and mis-informed, but then evasively recant his December 2, 2016 assertions while simultaneously trying to justify his blatant misrepresentations during a 6:30 POV interview with Chris Berg.

“But when we said the code words of their flood-proofing, it costs more money $4,000 to $6,000, the assumption on his part “Oh, you’re building in the flood-plain”…, NO, we’re building where we have development lots and they have to bring to the proper level so they’re not in the…, so do the criteria that they’re not have to get flood insurance.”

Isn’t that odd…? FEMA is expressly clear that an “area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance (100 year)” is defined as a being a flood plain and Mahoney is suggesting these people need to build to the “proper level” to avoid flood insurance…, but then Mahoney attempts misdirection by manipulating the perception of a flood-plain as “development lots” which conveniently fit his narratives.

Do taxpayers rely on Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney being honest when interviewed?

6.

The lie must also proximately cause the other party to suffer damages.

Did Tony Gehrig publicly suffer as a result of Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney’s statements? Are taxpayers and property owners at risk?

Ahh yes! The greatest covenant of all…”trust”. The imperial mayor that wears the “yellow vest”! The symbolic epitome of using fear to sell an agenda whether on not one exists and intimidation whenever challenged. This being the same person whose mayoral platform was to “…promote smart growth…and direct our evolution so we don’t lose the heart and soul of our community…”.

So how is “smart growth” being promoted by Faustian incentives that further natural flood plain encroachment that displaces water onto neighbors, raises the FEMA 100 year flood level and fosters the very flood risk that Fargo is allegedly trying to reduce?

Heart and Soul of the community or just a financial opportunity for Fargo’s elite?